{Bristol, Virginia}...Bristol, Va.-based Alpha Natural Resources announced Friday that production will be reduced at ten mining operations, four in eastern Kentucky and six in southern West Virginia. Alpha says, due to decreased demand, subsidiaries in Kentucky and West Virginia will idle four mines immediately and two others between now and early 2013. Several other mines will alter work schedules or reduce production crews. Approximately 320 employees will be affected. Alpha officials say, when completed, the adjustments are expected to reduce annual coal production by approximately 4 million tons. In West Virginia, the #2 Gas mine in Kanawha County and the Randolph Mine in Boone County are being idled immediately. The Black Castle surface mine and the Progress/Twilight surface mine in Boone County and the Camp Branch surface mine in Logan County are all reducing work schedules. The Alloy Powellton mine in Fayette County is eliminating one underground section.
